Federal deputy Ricardo Salles (Novo) said the Liberal Party's candidate for the Senate in São Paulo represents a "fake right" [1].
The comment signals a deepening rift within the right-wing coalition in Brazil. As the 2026 elections approach, the dispute over who truly represents conservative values in the country's most populous state could fragment the vote and weaken the influence of the Bolsonaro-aligned bloc.
Salles said the remarks during an interview with CNN Brasil published on YouTube [3]. He targeted André do Prado, the PL's choice for the Senate seat, and said the candidacy does not reflect a genuine right-wing position [1, 2].
This public criticism follows a series of tensions within the conservative camp. Salles said he will not withdraw his own bid for the Senate in São Paulo to make way for Prado [2]. This persistence indicates a refusal to consolidate under a single party banner if that banner is viewed as ideologically compromised.
Beyond the specific candidacy of Prado, Salles has also criticized other figures within the movement. He described the actions of Eduardo Bolsonaro as "bravatas" related to the U.S. [1]. Salles also directed accusations toward Valdemar Costa Neto, the president of the PL, further exposing the fractures within the party's leadership [1].
The friction centers on whether the PL is prioritizing political pragmatism, and party machinery, over strict ideological purity. By labeling the official candidate as "fake," Salles is positioning himself as the authentic alternative for voters who feel the party has drifted from its core principles [1, 2].
“the PL’s Senate candidate (André do Prado) represents a “direita fake” (fake right)”
The conflict between Ricardo Salles and the PL leadership demonstrates that the 'Bolsonarista' wing is not a monolith. By attacking the legitimacy of the party's official candidate, Salles is attempting to peel away hardline conservative voters who prioritize ideological purity over party loyalty, potentially splitting the right-wing vote in São Paulo.
